Barcelona still expect Lamine Yamal to win the Kopa Trophy, and they do not rule out the Ballon d’Or either. His quiet display in the season’s first Clasico against Real Madrid drew plenty of attention, but the votes for tonight’s gala in London were already cast before the weekend.
Barcelona's confidence and the Clasico backlash
Yamal was the biggest talking point after Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, and Foot Mercato’s editorial team gave him a 3/10, saying he made no difference throughout the match. That criticism is part of the noise around a teenager with a huge profile, but it does not undo what he has produced across the season.
Barcelona are top of La Liga with 27 points from 10 matches, and Yamal has 8 goals and 6 assists in those 10 appearances. In the Champions League he has added 2 goals and 4 assists in 3 games, which is a strong European return for a player still being discussed as much for age as output.
The award case in numbers
That is why the Ballon d’Or conversation still includes him. An 8.09 average rating across La Liga points to a level that goes beyond one flat night, and it sits alongside the more obvious attacking numbers. Barcelona’s confidence in the Kopa Trophy race is clear, with the club also not ruling out Yamal for the Ballon d’Or itself.
Pau Cubarsí will not travel to London for the gala after finishing the Clasico with a fever, while Barcelona are preparing a large delegation for the ceremony. The result will not change now, but Yamal’s season has already done enough to keep him in the frame when the awards are handed out this evening.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
